Past reports from other sources hint at a sub-$160 price, off contract, which would make the phone half as expensive as the Lumia 710, which retails for $315 USD off contract.

The Nokia Lumia 610 [Image Source: Data Mobile Phone]

The new phone is expected to run Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) new Windows Phone Tango release, which will include support for lower-end hardware. Specifically, Tango is thought to allow for a spec that support slower processors (the current spec mandates a 1 GHz single-core processor) and lower resolution screens (the current spec mandates 480x800 4-point capactive multi-touch screens) -- which possibly may lack multi-touch.

The new budget models will fill a gap in what globally is known as "mid-range" smartphones, but which American consumer tend to think of as "low-end" smartphones. Nokia currently offers true low-end "smart" feature phones which uses its in-house developed S40 operating system. Going ahead, Windows Phone should occupy its high- to mid-range lineup, while S40 will continue to be its go-to operating system on the low end.

The white Nokia 800 has been officially announced and ships at the end of the month. The Nokia 900's white variant was leaked via an accidental post to the company's corporate Facebook. Reportedly the white Nokia 900 has also been given as an option to some users in the $25 preorder for the handset that's going on over at the Microsoft Store.

An international version of the Lumia 900, supporting more global networks' 3G and 4G frequencies is also expected.

II. A Surprise

Last, but not least, a mysterious video direct-from-Nokia has surfaced on YouTube:

It looks like it might have something to do with imaging given the phrases "Pure detail", "Pure depth", and "Pure definition", followed by the catch phrase "Get ready to capture a pure view."

As an extra bonus here's another video of a Finnish print shop using an antique printing press to craft fliers for Nokia's "Pure" announcement.

It doesn't really give any extra insight into exactly what Nokia plans, and there's no sound, but something about watching a Nordic craftsman use a CAD-machined wood printing block on a classic piece of machinery is impressive to us.

III. Windows Phone Outlook

Nokia has struggled to get Windows Phone out the gate, but it finally appears to be coming on strong, ramping up for an aggressive 2012 Windows Phone campaign. Early sales of the Nokia 710 and 800 have been small given the limited release geography, but the exceeded analysts' pessimistic predictions. Nokia will surely look to continue to surprise performance-wise as it makes the push to make Windows Phone a true third competitor to Android and Apple's iPhone in market share.

Do you actually see a noticeable difference comparing it against an iPhone 4/4s screen? If you look really close than yes when they are side by side. When you don't have them side by side, you'd never know the difference.

Having a higher resolution screen, when the real world impact is minimal, makes sense only if you are after bragging rights.

I have a HTC sensation, and I really can tell the difference when I use a smaller, 480 x 800 screen phone. It's very noticeable.

Of course, part of that is because a lot of the lower rez phones, like the L 800, are smaller, so in a way the rez is not the issue, it's the sheer size of the screen that's the problem.

Then you also have to factor in what you use your phone for. If it's mostly apps that haven't been written for qHD or 720p screens (as seen on the android phones that you conveniently missed off of your list) or to scale on them, they you probably will not benefit a great deal.

If you use your phone for looking at web pages and e-mal, the extra screen size and resolution of other phones that exist is a very noticeable feature, and you will notice the difference when you look at other phones after using a higher rez screen for a while.

Indeed. I see the real issue here being the small screen size itself. You could put a 1080P OLED panel in there, but if it's only 3.5 inches then you're putting up with some serious eye strain. The answer is a wearable set of OLED glasses connected to a smartphone-form-factor PC.

Just because the resolution went up doesn't mean the size of the information went smaller - just like when the iphone went 4x in resolution (2x2) the icons and text were the same - the dpi just went higher.

"We are going to continue to work with them to make sure they understand the reality of the Internet. A lot of these people don't have Ph.Ds, and they don't have a degree in computer science." -- RIM co-CEO Michael Lazaridis